Thanksgiving, ah! A time for pumpkin pie, turkey, and the yearly custom of rushing around the table to discover ways to show thankfulness. But in the midst of all the activity (and perhaps even a family argument about who should receive the final piece of pie), there is a more profound and subdued appeal to stop, think, and genuinely express gratitude. And where better to look than the Bible for inspiration?
Scripture has always been a source of knowledge, consolation, and inspiration for people in both happy and difficult times. Bible verses that express appreciation are the ideal addition to any Thanksgiving celebration or, for that matter, to any day when we wish to remind ourselves of our blessings.
So, get into your favorite chair, grab a warm beverage, and let’s dive into these Thanksgiving Bible verses that will help you connect with a sense of true gratitude.
Why Should We Be Thankful?
Honestly, it’s a cinch to get so caught up in the aggravations and disappointments of life that “being thankful” becomes just another thing to check off on the list. But thankfulness has transformative potential and is not a seasonal attitude. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” writes 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Can you believe it?in every situation, not just when things go well! What an ask, is it not? But beauty lies in that thankfulness can help us look at things from a different angle, notice all those things we otherwise overlook as blessings-even in hard times.
Top Thanksgiving Bible Verses to Share (or Whisper to Yourself)
Whether you’re sharing a prayer before Thanksgiving dinner or just taking a moment to reflect, these verses offer a beautiful way to connect with gratitude:
- Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Let this verse be a reminder that God’s love is steady and unchanging—a perfect anchor for our gratitude. - Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
This verse offers comfort in knowing that we can bring our worries to God, accompanied by a heart of gratitude. - Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
Sometimes, strength doesn’t come from within, but from leaning on a greater power. - James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
Think of this verse next time you see a beautiful sunset or hear a baby’s laugh—those moments are divine gifts. - Psalm 100:4-5
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” - Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Psalm 95:2-3
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.” - 1 Chronicles 16:34
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Isaiah 12:4-5
“In that day you will say: ‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.'” - Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - Colossians 3:15-17
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 1:4
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” - Hebrews 12:28
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” - Ephesians 5:19-20
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” - 2 Corinthians 9:11
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” - Revelation 7:12
“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!”
Real-Life Inspiration: The Gratitude Habit
Make appreciation a daily habit if you’re searching for methods to express your gratitude outside of the Thanksgiving meal. According to studies, cultivating thankfulness can strengthen immunity, improve mental health, and even increase sleep quality! One common approach is to maintain a “Gratitude Journal.”
Jot down three things for which you are thankful every day. It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular; it might be something as basic as the flavor of your morning coffee or a warm smile you got. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were really called in one body, as Colossians 3:15 counsels. And express gratitude.
Thanksgiving Prayer or Blessing for the Table
You could, for example, say a Thanksgiving prayer before you start eating the mashed potatoes. According to the verses above, here is a very obvious one:
“Dear Lord, we are thankful for everything that You have given us, no matter how small. We pray to have hearts that see Your love in everything and that we are always thankful. Make this Thanksgiving season a happy time of peace and introspection and help us share our thanksgiving with others. “Amen.”
To make everybody smile, here’s a funny twist on the idea: “Thank you, Lord, for this meal and the hands that prepared it.” I thank God for my family, friends, love, and laughter. And after all that turkey, we are thankful you kept us awake enough to not fall asleep on the couch. “Amen!”
Bible Verses for Year-Round Gratitude
Thanksgiving may come once a year, but gratitude is a practice for every day. Bookmark these verses or write them somewhere visible as daily reminders:
- Hebrews 13:15 – “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
- Psalm 69:30 – “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
What Are You Thankful For?
Think about having a “thankfulness jar” at your Thanksgiving. Ask each of the guests to write on a slip of paper something they are thankful for and tuck it into the jar. Periodically have each person take turns reading it out loud to remind one another of the world’s gifts, no matter how small. When you get grandma’s stuffing on the list, double bonus!!
Little-Known Fact: Did You Know?
I never knew that the root of the words “think” and “thank” is the same. The actual root of both words originates from a Germanic word which signifies “to be mindful.” Thus, when we thank somebody or something, we actually are “thinking upon” good things in life. Similarly, on the Day of Thanksgiving, we are to thinkfully look back at life and take a moment to live in the moment.
Wrapping It Up: Giving Thanks Every Day
Life is too short to wait till the fourth Thursday of November to express gratitude, let’s face it. Let these quotes and thoughts inspire you to cultivate thankfulness every day this Thanksgiving.
Consider it a spiritual exercise that fortifies your soul and heart. After all, as stated in Psalm 7:17, “I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High, and I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness.”
Conclusion
Are you prepared to express gratitude? Give this article to family members or acquaintances who could use some Thanksgiving motivation. Or perhaps set a goal for them: for a month, each of you should share one thing for which you are grateful. Ultimately, happiness grows when it is shared—and isn’t that something to be thankful for?